Fragile surface
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define a ‘fragile surface’ as: ‘…a surface which would be liable to fail if any reasonably foreseeable loading were to be applied to it.’
The Regulations impose duties for the avoidance of risks from fragile surfaces:
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9.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that no person at work passes across or near, or works on, from or near, a fragile surface where it is reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without his doing so. (2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without passing across or near, or working on, from or near, a fragile surface, every employer shall—
(3) Where any person at work may pass across or near, or work on, from or near, a fragile surface, every employer shall ensure that—
(4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply where members of the police, fire, ambulance or other emergency services are acting in an emergency. |
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